5
March,
2024
Footballers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) are enjoying perfect playing facilities at Rossmore Leisure Centre, thanks to a £726,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
This grant has been combined with BCP Council’s investment of just under half a million pounds, and a generous contribution from the Talbot Village Trust of £25,000. In total, £1.25 million has been invested to construct a brand-new full-sized 3G football turf pitch, complete with fencing and floodlights.
Dorset County Football Association has also been instrumental in supporting the project and engaging with local football clubs.The facilities were officially opened yesterday (Monday 4 March) at Rossmore Leisure Centre, which is managed by leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with the council.
Kenni Thompson from AFC Bournemouth women’s team attended and spoke to the U11 girls during their training session as part of local team, Dexters. They were joined by council officers and ward councillors, representatives from the Football Foundation, Everyone Active, St Aldhelm’s Academy, the Kids Initiative, Talbot Village Trust, and Longfleet and Rossmore Rockets football clubs.
The dynamic new facilities represent a significant improvement on the previous grass pitch, which was prone to waterlogging and often caused matches to be abandoned. The work also included a modern refurbishment of the leisure centre changing rooms, a brand-new CCTV system and cycle storage facilities.
The new facilities will be used by the community during the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays, with bookings managed by Everyone Active. During term time, pupils from the nearby St Aldhelm’s Academy will use the pitch.
Nick Ashley Cooper, Chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “We’re delighted to see members of AFC Bournemouth Women’s team visit Rossmore 3G pitch in Poole to mark its opening this week.
“Research continues to demonstrate a clear link between sports and wellbeing, both for players and audiences, so it’s been a pleasure to support this brilliant new facility and community asset, which provides a high-quality sports surface that can be used all year by school pupils, amateur enthusiasts, and professional sports teams.”
Cllr Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of BCP Council, and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities said: “As part of our Playing Pitch Strategy we’re continually looking to improve and maintaining our facilities; enabling active, healthy lifestyles amongst our residents, whether they are young female footballers, or players for whom walking football better suits their abilities.
“This pitch at Rossmore is a brilliant addition to the local community, and anyone visiting the leisure centre, or walking nearby at Bourne Valley Park can hear how much everyone is enjoying it already. It’s great to visit again today and see what an impressive addition these facilities are to this area of Poole.
Dean Potter, Director of Grant Management at the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. We’re delighted that the local community in Poole will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new 3G pitch at Rossmore Leisure Centre.”
Hollie Jones, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We are delighted to officially open our new 3G pitch and are grateful to all those who have helped make it happen. Thanks to the generous investment, we can offer the local community more opportunity than ever before to enjoy football and stay active. We encourage the people of BCP to come and try out this fantastic facility.”
